Inflatable Tube For Coupling Component And Method For Making An Inflatable Tube

Abstract

An inflatable coupling component tube for a fluid-operated brake or clutch includes an elongated, generally tubular-shaped structure of predetermined length having two ends and a joint between the two ends that closes the tube to form a generally toroidal-shaped cavity. A coupling component for a fluid-operated brake or clutch that includes an inflatable tube, and a method of making an inflatable coupling component tube are also disclosed.

1 . An inflatable coupling component tube for a fluid-operated brake or clutch, comprising:
 an elongated, generally tubular-shaped structure of predetermined length having two ends and a joint between the two ends that closes the tube to form a generally toroidal-shaped cavity.   
   
   
       2 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the generally tubular-shaped structure includes at least one reinforced layer and at least one unreinforced layer. 
   
   
       3 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the generally tubular-shaped structure includes multiple reinforced layers. 
   
   
       4 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforced layer comprises a semi-continuous sheet of elastomer-coated, unidirectional fiber or fabric. 
   
   
       5 . The tube of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric is coated with polymer on either one or both sides. 
   
   
       6 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the unreinforced elastomer layer comprises a semi-continuous sheet of unreinforced elastomer. 
   
   
       7 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforced and unreinforced layers are spiral wrapped at a predetermined spiral angle. 
   
   
       8 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the unreinforced layer is an extruded elastomer. 
   
   
       9 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforced layer comprises, a braided or spiral-applied fabric reinforcement. 
   
   
       10 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the reinforced layer and the unreinforced layer includes a thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       11 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is at least partially chemically cross-linked. 
   
   
       12 . The tube of  claim 2 , further including an interior valve member and an exterior valve member attached to the interior valve member, the interior valve member including a threaded male portion adapted to thread into a corresponding threaded female portion in exterior valve member and a generally fiat mating surface in the interior valve member having at least one annular rib that engages an interior surface of the cavity to create an air-tight seal. 
   
   
       13 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the generally tubular-shaped structure includes at least one reinforced layer sandwiched between an inner, unreinforced layer and an outer, unreinforced layer. 
   
   
       14 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the joint includes one of a thermoset or thermoplastic adhesive, a solvent bond, and a thermal weld. 
   
   
       15 . A coupling component for a fluid-operated brake or clutch, comprising:
 an inflatable toroidal-shaped tube having an annular array of friction shoe assemblies engageable with a second coupling component to interconnect the two coupling components, the tube comprising an elongated, generally tubular-shaped structure of predetermined length having two ends and a joint between the two ends that closes the toroidal-shaped tube to form a generally toroidal-shaped cavity.   
   
   
       16 . The coupling component of  claim 15 , wherein the generally tubular-shaped structure includes at least one reinforced layer and at least one unreinforced layer. 
   
   
       17 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , wherein the generally tubular-shaped structure includes multiple reinforced layers. 
   
   
       18 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforced layer comprises a semi-continuous sheet of elastomer-coated, unidirectional fiber or fabric. 
   
   
       19 . The coupling component of  claim 18 , wherein the fabric is coated with polymer on either one or both sides. 
   
   
       20 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , wherein the unreinforced elastomer layer comprises a semi-continuous sheet of unreinforced elastomer. 
   
   
       21 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforced and unreinforced layers are spiral wrapped at a predetermined spiral angle. 
   
   
       22 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , wherein the unreinforced layer is an extruded elastomer. 
   
   
       23 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforced layer comprises a braided or spiral-applied fabric reinforcement. 
   
   
       24 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the reinforced layer and the unreinforced layer includes a thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       25 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is at least partially chemically cross-linked. 
   
   
       26 . The coupling component of  claim 16 , further including an interior valve member and an exterior valve member attached to the interior valve member, the inferior valve member including a threaded male portion adapted to thread into a corresponding threaded female portion in exterior valve member and a generally flat mating surface in the interior valve member having at least one annular rib that engages an interior surface of the cavity to create an air-tight seal. 
   
   
       27 . The coupling component of  claim 15 , wherein the generally tubular-shaped structure includes at least one reinforced layer sandwiched between an inner, unreinforced layer and an outer, unreinforced layer. 
   
   
       28 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the joint: includes one of a thermoset or thermoplastic adhesive, a solvent bond, and a thermal weld. 
   
   
       29 . A method for making a coupling component tube for a fluid-operated clutch or brake, comprising the steps of:
 constructing an elongated generally tubular-shaped structure;   cutting the elongated tubular-shaped structure into a separate piece having a predetermined length;   manipulating the separate piece to form a closed generally toroidal-shaped tube having first and second ends; and   joining the first and second ends.   
   
   
       30 . The method of claim, wherein the constructing step includes spiral wrapping at least one reinforced layer and spiral wrapping or extruding at least one unreinforced layer over a mandrel. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the constructing step includes thermally consolidating the reinforced and unreinforced layers.